An open letter is a letter that is intended to be read by a wide audience, or a letter intended for an individual, but that is nonetheless widely distributed intentionally.
Open letters usually take the form of a letter addressed to an individual but provided to the public through newspapers and other media, such as a letter to the editor or blog. Especially common are critical open letters addressed to political leaders.
Letters patent are another form of open letter in which a legal document is both mailed to a person by the government, and publicized so that all are made aware of it. Open letters can also be addressed directly to a group rather than any individual.
Read more about Open Letter: Motivations For Writing Open Letters, Examples
Famous quotes containing the words open and/or letter:
“But let me open up my heart to you completely, my friends: if there were gods, how could I bear not being a god! Hence, there are no gods. I drew this conclusion, to be sure—but now it draws me.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“[I]n our country economy, letter writing is an hors d’oeuvre. It is no part of the regular routine of the day.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)